Welcome to GreenLeaves Herbal Healthcare

Introduction
Despite hundreds of drugs being available for a vast range of diseases (with the pharmaceutical companies putting more onto the market every year) health problems such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease are on the increase in the Western World.

What is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal Medicine is the use of plants to treat diseases and is the oldest form of medicine known to man.  It is the most widely practised form of medicine  worldwide with 80% of the global population relying on herbs for health and healing.  Despite this, Herbal Medicine is classed as alternative or complementary in this country.

Certain plants have an affinity for specific organs or systems of the body.  However, the approach is always to treat the person as a whole (holistically), and not to treat the disease in isolation.  Herbs work by gradually strengthening the body to enable it to overcome disease and restore health, harmony, balance and vitality.

The difference between Pharmacy drugs and Herbs
Many Pharmacy drugs in use today are actually based on plant ingredients.  The active part of the herb (ie. the part that makes it effective) is extracted and isolated.  That single component is then turned into a drug in the laboratory and manufactured on a large scale.   To this day, when new cures are sought for diseases, it is often to the plant world that scientists will turn.

In contrast, in Herbal Medicine different parts of the plant are used.  For example, the flowers and fruit of the Hawthorn plant are used for heart disorders.  The bark of the Oak tree is used in diarrhoea and other conditions which require astringency (toning and tightening tissues).  Another example is the leaves and roots of the Dandelion plant.  The leaves have a diuretic effect and the root has a long tradition in the use of Liver disorders.

What can Herbal Medicine Treat?
For a list of some of the common ailments that herbs can treat, see the A-Z of Health Complaints.

Greenleaves’ Treatment Philosophy
At GreenLeaves Herbal Healthcare, the practice of cleansing and revitalising the waste-eliminating organs - Liver, Colon & Kidneys to recover health and vitality is at the centre of our philosophy and treatment.  In this way, chronic, acute and degenerative health problems can be tackled at their source.

In addition, we recognise that lifestyle and dietary habits contribute to overall health and promote the introduction of enzyme-rich, living foods as opposed to a diet dominated by processed foods, which often lack nutrition.  We also promote the use of probiotic foods made from live cultures, as a means of health maintenance and nutrient-rich, high vitality green juices.

Greenleaves is holding Living Foods Sunday Seminars in South London on the last Sunday of each month, beginning 30th July 2006, where small groups can learn how Living Foods are central to our long-term health.  The Seminar will include a talk, demonstration on preparing and preserving living food, lunch and a living foods package for each participant. 

Other services provided by Greenleaves Herbal Healthcare include:

• Health Recovery Programme
• Standard Consultations
• Health Products for purchase
• Talks
• Health Education Series
• Yearly Seminar
• Quarterly Newsletter

GreenLeaves Herbal Healthcare exists to help you restore your health through natural and effective methods.

Patricia Ferguson BSc (Hons) MNIMH
Consultant Medical Herbalist
GreenLeaves Herbal Healthcare